Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org
enCanadian panel endorses plan for nuclear waste facility near Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/canadian-panel-endorses-plan-nuclear-waste-facility-near-lake-huron
<p></p><p>A Canadian advisory panel has recommended approval of a permanent, underground nuclear waste repository within a mile of Lake Huron in Ontario.</p><p>The panel made its recommendation this week in a <a href="http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p17520/101595E.pdf">report</a> to Canada's environment minister, who is expected to make a decision within four months.&nbsp;</p><p>Thu, 07 May 2015 21:43:34 +0000Virginia Gordan21967 at http://michiganradio.orgCanadian panel endorses plan for nuclear waste facility near Lake HuronWe're closer to a decision on the underground nuclear waste site near Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/were-closer-decision-underground-nuclear-waste-site-near-lake-huron
<p>The Bruce Nuclear site sits across Lake Huron from Michigan’s Thumb region.</p><p>Ontario Power Generation wants to bury some of its nuclear waste on the site in Kincardine, Ontario. All of the company’s low and intermediate level waste would be buried there forever, far underground.</p><p>Tue, 05 May 2015 12:50:00 +0000Rebecca Williams21930 at http://michiganradio.orgWe're closer to a decision on the underground nuclear waste site near Lake HuronU.S. Rep. Dan Kildee wants to block nuclear waste site near Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/us-rep-dan-kildee-wants-block-nuclear-waste-site-near-lake-huron
<p>U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, is urging his colleagues in U.S. House to pass a resolution calling on the Canadian government and the Obama administration to halt the creation of a nuclear storage waste site. The site would be built about a mile from Lake Huron.</p><p>Michigan Radio's Jennifer White spoke to Rep.&nbsp;Kildee about what the proposed site could mean for Michigan and the possible impact of his resolution.</p><p>Here's their conversation:</p><p>Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:28:34 +0000Jennifer White21697 at http://michiganradio.orgU.S. Rep. Dan Kildee wants to block nuclear waste site near Lake HuronMost of Great Lakes surface frozen for second straight yearhttp://michiganradio.org/post/most-great-lakes-surface-frozen-second-straight-year
<p>TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - For the second consecutive winter, bitter weather threatens to turn the surface of the Great Lakes into a vast frozen plain.</p><p>The federal Great Lakes research laboratory in Ann Arbor reports Friday that nearly 81 percent of the five lakes' surface area is ice-covered. On Thursday, the ice cover exceeded 85 percent.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;The lab's George Leshkevich says the small drop-off probably happened because winds broke apart some ice, creating open spots.<br />Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:12:00 +0000The Associated Press21064 at http://michiganradio.orgMost of Great Lakes surface frozen for second straight yearNo Going Back: Flint EM says city will not reconnect with Detroit waterhttp://michiganradio.org/post/no-going-back-flint-em-says-city-will-not-reconnect-detroit-water
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Flint's emergency manager says he will not approve a return to Detroit's water system, even though the city's switch to using water from the Flint River has been rife with problems.</span></p><p></p><p>Flint ditched its water contract with Detroit, and began using water from the Flint River instead this spring.&nbsp; Complaints surfaced early on about the water's taste.&nbsp;</p><p>Sun, 11 Jan 2015 18:13:50 +0000Tracy Samilton20528 at http://michiganradio.orgNo Going Back: Flint EM says city will not reconnect with Detroit waterUpper Great Lakes water levels are up. Here's why.http://michiganradio.org/post/upper-great-lakes-water-levels-are-heres-why
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The Great Lakes go up and down. It's just a fact of life.&nbsp;</span></p><p>Water levels in Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron continue to be above their monthly averages for the first time in 16 years.</p><p>Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:32:54 +0000Zoe Clark20228 at http://michiganradio.orgUpper Great Lakes water levels are up. Here's why.U.S. Senate resolution opposes Canadian nuke waste planhttp://michiganradio.org/post/us-senate-resolution-opposes-canadian-nuke-waste-plan
<p>TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Carl Levin has introduced a resolution urging the Obama administration to oppose <a href="http://www.opg.com/Pages/home.aspx">a Canadian proposal to bury radioactive waste</a> less than a mile from Lake Huron.</p><p></p>Sun, 21 Sep 2014 19:28:00 +0000The Associated Press19191 at http://michiganradio.orgU.S. Senate resolution opposes Canadian nuke waste planPlans for a nuclear waste storage facility near Lake Huron face a public hearing http://michiganradio.org/post/plans-nuclear-waste-storage-facility-near-lake-huron-face-public-hearing
<p>Canadian officials will open a public hearing Tuesday looking at plans for a nuclear waste storage facility very close to Lake Huron.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.opg.com/generating-power/nuclear/nuclear-waste-management/Pages/deep-geologic-repository.aspx">Ontario Power Generation</a> wants to build the facility in Kincardine, Ontario, less than a mile from the lakeshore. The plan concerns <a href="http://www.stopthegreatlakesnucleardump.com/">environmentalists,</a> who fear the underground facility could contaminate Lake Huron.</p><p><a href="http://dankildee.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-dan-kildee-ontario-nuclear-waste-site-near-great-lakes">One Michigan congressman </a>plans to introduce a resolution this week opposing the current site chosen for the facility.</p><p>Utility officials insist their plans to build a massive underground storage facility are safe. The facility would descend nearly 700 meters below the surface and eventually store 200,000 cubic meters of low and intermediate nuclear waste from Canadian nuclear stations.</p><p>“The geology, the geosphere, the repository design, the depth will protect the environment,” insists Neal Kelly, a spokesman for Ontario Power Generation.</p><p>He says 70% of the waste to be stored in the facility would only be low-level nuclear contamination.&nbsp;</p><p>This week’s public hearing will focus on technical issues tied to the planned facility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>It will be many years before the utility can build the billion dollar nuclear waste storage facility, even if Canadian regulators grant the utility a license to build it.&nbsp;</p><p>The Deep Geologic Repository Joint Review Panel will hold its hearing on Tuesday in Kincardine.</p><p>You can find more about the hearing by following this <a href="http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/document-eng.cfm?document=99856">link&nbsp;</a>from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.</p><p>Mon, 08 Sep 2014 11:55:00 +0000Steve Carmody18986 at http://michiganradio.orgPlans for a nuclear waste storage facility near Lake Huron face a public hearing Marine sanctuary expanding in Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/marine-sanctuary-expanding-lake-huron
<p>A watery window to Michigan’s past is expanding.</p><p></p><p>The <a href="http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/welcome.html">Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary</a> is expanding from its present 448 square miles of Lake Huron to 4,300 square miles.</p><p>Jeff Gray is the sanctuary superintendent. He says the expanded sanctuary will protect hundreds of shipwrecks, many dating back to the 19<sup>th</sup> and early 20<sup>th</sup> centuries.</p>Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:02:00 +0000Steve Carmody18974 at http://michiganradio.orgMarine sanctuary expanding in Lake HuronThe North Channel: The Great Lakes' best kept secrethttp://michiganradio.org/post/north-channel-great-lakes-best-kept-secret
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>You don’t hear much about Lake Huron. It’s home to what is known as the North Channel. It's filled with hundreds of islands. It's like the Caribbean, but instead of sand and palm trees, you have rock and pine trees. So why does Lake Huron often get ignored when we talk about the Great Lakes the surround our state?</p><p>Roy Eaton joined us on Stateside to answer that very question. He's the weatherman and newscaster for the North Channel. His broadcast, Cruisers’ Net, airs every morning at 9 in the summer on VHF radio.</p><p>The North Channel is located at the northern side of Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world.</p><p>Eaton has sailed all the Great Lakes, Bermuda, Antigua, the Virgin Islands and the Florida Keys.&nbsp; Yet he says Lake Huron’s North Channel is his favorite. The geography is what draws the eye and what lands the North Channel the top ratings of best places to boat in international boating magazines like <em>Cruising World</em> and <em>Sailing</em>.</p><p>Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:26:55 +0000Stateside Staff18617 at http://michiganradio.orgThe North Channel: The Great Lakes' best kept secretMichigan to Ontario: No nuclear waste near Lake Huron, PLEASEhttp://michiganradio.org/post/michigan-ontario-no-nuclear-waste-near-lake-huron-please
<p>Some state legislators want the International Joint Commission to become involved in a nuclear waste storage dispute.</p><p align="LEFT">A Canadian energy company plans to build a nuclear waste storage facility about a mile from Lake Huron – across from Michigan's thumb area.</p>Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:05:57 +0000Tracy Samilton17905 at http://michiganradio.orgMichigan to Ontario: No nuclear waste near Lake Huron, PLEASEStudy finds food supplies drop in Lakes Huron, Michiganhttp://michiganradio.org/post/study-finds-food-supplies-drop-lakes-huron-michigan
<p>TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Food supplies for fish and other organisms are declining in some areas of the Great Lakes, particularly Lakes Huron and Michigan, according to a <a href="http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/12/05/biosci.bit001.abstract">newly released scientific report</a>.</p>Sun, 15 Dec 2013 15:38:13 +0000The Associated Press15695 at http://michiganradio.orgStudy finds food supplies drop in Lakes Huron, MichiganGo lake trout! Native fish overcome seemingly ‘insurmountable’ challenges in Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/go-lake-trout-native-fish-overcome-seemingly-insurmountable-challenges-lake-huron
<p>A fish that was almost wiped out in the Great Lakes is making a comeback in Lake Huron.</p><p><a href="http://michiganradio.org/term/lake-trout">Lake trout</a> are suddenly doing what biologists have been trying to get them to do for more than 40 years: They’re making babies.</p><p>Lake trout used to be a mainstay of Great Lakes commercial fishing in the first half of the twentieth century. The Lakes would produce 15 million pounds of the fish every year.</p><p>Then the sea lamprey came in and sucked the life out of the lake trout populations.</p>Thu, 12 Dec 2013 14:00:00 +0000Peter Payette15648 at http://michiganradio.orgGo lake trout! Native fish overcome seemingly ‘insurmountable’ challenges in Lake HuronStateside for Monday, August 26th, 2013http://michiganradio.org/post/stateside-monday-august-26th-2013
<p>If there's one song that captures the feel of Motown, Detroit, and America in the 1960s, it's Martha Reeves singing "Dancing in the Streets." On today's show we talked about the historical importance of this Motown classic.</p><p>And, we explored the concept behind community cafes, how they work and where you can find one near you.</p><p>Also, Ontario Power Generation is proposing to build a nuclear waste dump site on the shore of Lake Huron. How will this affect the drinking water?</p><p>First on the show, t<span style="line-height: 1.5;">his promises to be an important week for the State Senate. This could be the week the Senate decides whether or not to expand Medicaid to more low-income adults in Michigan.</span></p><p>You may recall, the Senate broke off for its summer break in June without taking a vote on Medicaid, something that so incensed Governor Snyder that he came home early from a trade trip to Israel in order to publicly scold the Senate.</p><p>So, two months later, it appears a vote is at hand.</p><p>Rick Pluta, the Lansing Bureau Chief for the Michigan Public Radio Network, joined us today.</p><p>Tue, 27 Aug 2013 11:03:44 +0000Stateside Staff14140 at http://michiganradio.orgStateside for Monday, August 26th, 2013Nuclear waste repository might be built on the shore of Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/nuclear-waste-repository-might-be-built-shore-lake-huron
<p>A proposal by a Canadian power company to store nuclear waste at a site within a mile of Lake Huron is setting off alarm bells on this side of the border.</p><p>Ontario Power Generation is drawing up plans to store low-to-medium level nuclear waste at an underground repository it wants to build in Ontario near the town of Kincardine. That is on the shore of Lake Huron and critics, including some state lawmakers, worry that storing nuclear waste so close to the lake could threaten the drinking water for 40 million people.</p><p>Detroit News reporter Jim Lynch has been following the story and he joined us today from Detroit.</p><p><em>Listen to the full interview above.</em></p><p>Mon, 26 Aug 2013 21:59:27 +0000Stateside Staff14137 at http://michiganradio.orgNuclear waste repository might be built on the shore of Lake HuronProposed nuclear dump site a mile from Lake Huron draws concernhttp://michiganradio.org/post/proposed-nuclear-dump-site-mile-lake-huron-draws-concern
<p>Local environmental activists are concerned over a proposal that would create a nuclear waste dump less than a mile from the shores of Lake Huron. Community members met at a town hall meeting this week at Wayne State University to discuss the proposal.</p><p>Tue, 20 Aug 2013 18:49:04 +0000Michigan Radio Newsroom14073 at http://michiganradio.orgProposed nuclear dump site a mile from Lake Huron draws concernFoes of Lake Huron shoreline nuclear storage meethttp://michiganradio.org/post/foes-lake-huron-shoreline-nuclear-storage-meet
<p>DETROIT (AP) - Objections to a proposal to build a nuclear waste storage site near Lake Huron's Ontario shoreline are the subject of a town hall meeting Monday evening in Detroit.<br><br>The Detroit News says the meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. at Wayne State University's Keith Center Lecture Hall.<br><br>The meeting's organizers include Democratic state Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood of Taylor. He sponsored a resolution that the Michigan Senate passed in May questioning the proposal.<br>Sun, 18 Aug 2013 22:00:00 +0000The Associated Press14041 at http://michiganradio.orgGround is broken on a quarter billion dollar water pipeline in Michiganhttp://michiganradio.org/post/ground-broken-quarter-billion-dollar-water-pipeline-michigan
<p>A quarter billion dollar water pipeline project broke ground today near the Lake Huron shoreline.</p><p></p><p>The source of the water was on the minds of the people at the groundbreaking, including Pastor Floyd Fuller who gave the invocation.</p><p></p><p>““Drink from your own cistern.&nbsp;&nbsp; Running water from your own well,” Fuller said, quoting from the Book of Proverbs.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>The well in this case is not a well but a lake.&nbsp; Lake Huron to be specific.&nbsp;</p><p></p>Fri, 28 Jun 2013 19:42:29 +0000Steve Carmody13304 at http://michiganradio.orgGround is broken on a quarter billion dollar water pipeline in MichiganThe curious history of a tasty little Great Lakes fishhttp://michiganradio.org/post/curious-history-tasty-little-great-lakes-fish
<p>Not too long ago, <a href="http://www.michiganradio.org/post/surprising-comeback-lake-hurons-native-fish">we reported that native fish are doing really well in Lake Huron</a>.</p><p>The fish involved are not exactly well known species. But there is one that’s a household name in lakeshore communities. Its success is sparking some scientific debate.</p><p><strong>A fish cocktail</strong></p><p>The owners of The Cove in Leland have a problem. Food and travel writers who pass through seldom forget to mention the Chubby Mary<b>®</b>. &nbsp;It’s a Bloody Mary with a smoked chub in it.</p><p>Mario Batali even put a photo of the cocktail on <em>Bon </em><em>Appetit</em>’s website along with his endorsement.</p><p>The problem is there aren’t many chubs for sale these days because they are really hard to find in the Great Lakes.</p><p>Tue, 28 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000Peter Payette12738 at http://michiganradio.orgThe curious history of a tasty little Great Lakes fishRaising water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron with man-made stuctureshttp://michiganradio.org/post/raising-water-levels-lakes-michigan-and-huron-man-made-stuctures
<p>The International Joint Commission (IJC) recommends that the U.S. and Canadian governments investigate the option of placing man-made structures in the St. Clair River to raise water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron.</p><p>The IJC is a binational organization that develops recommendations and resolves disputes over waters between the U.S. and Canada.</p><p>More from Jon Flesher of the Associated Press:</p>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:23:03 +0000Mark Brush12306 at http://michiganradio.orgRaising water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron with man-made stucturesState OKs Flint's plan to get water from pipeline to Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/state-oks-flints-plan-get-water-pipeline-lake-huron
<p><strong>Update 5:26 p.m.</strong></p><p><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">Flint needed the state's permission to join the water pipeline project because the city is run by an emergency manager.</span></font><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt"> Supporters say the new pipeline will save Flint money.</span></font></p><p><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">Bill Johnson, spokesman for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, said</span></font><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt"> the state previously told Detroit water officials they would have more time to reach a new agreement with Flint.</span></font><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt"> He says the Detroit water system stands to lose big if Flint starts getting its water from Lake Huron.</span></font></p><p><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">"</span></font><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">Detroit will lose 6 to 7 percent of its total revenue base, amounting to something like $22 million. That cost would have to be absorbed by the remaining 3 million Detroit Water and Sewerage Department customers."</span></font></p><div align="left"><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">Detroit has until Monday afternoon to make one final offer to the city of Flint to keep its water business.</span></font></div><div align="left">&nbsp;</div><div align="left"><font face="Tahoma"><span style=" font-size:12pt">Flint’s emergency manager has said he wants to see Detroit’s offer.</span></font></div><p></p><p><strong>12:39 p.m.</strong></p><p>FLINT, Mich. (AP) - The state of Michigan has approved Flint's plans to get its water by participating in a pipeline project that would tap Lake Huron.</p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/ZqWlYe">The Flint Journal reports</a>&nbsp;the approval is subject to review of a final offer from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department by Monday. State Treasurer Andy Dillon told Flint's state-appointed emergency manager Ed Kurtz of the decision.</p><p>Under the proposal, Flint would get 16 million gallons of water per day from Lake Huron, pipe it to Flint for treatment and then sell it to city customers. Another 2 million gallons per day would come from the Flint River and would be treated in Flint.</p><p>The Karegnondi Water Authority project could serve Flint and Lapeer as well as residents elsewhere in Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties.Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:26:22 +0000The Associated Press12118 at http://michiganradio.orgState OKs Flint's plan to get water from pipeline to Lake HuronA surprising comeback for Lake Huron's native fishhttp://michiganradio.org/post/surprising-comeback-lake-hurons-native-fish
<p>For years now, we’ve heard bad news about the Great Lakes. Most of it has to do with invasive species getting into the lakes and wrecking the food web.</p><p>One writer called it a slow-moving underwater wildfire.</p><p>So it might surprise you to hear that native fish are doing very well in one of the lakes. The changes are so dramatic scientists are a bit puzzled and can’t explain what’s happening.</p><p>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000Peter Payette12081 at http://michiganradio.orgA surprising comeback for Lake Huron's native fishIn this morning's news: Blue Cross overhaul, Detroit EM unpaid taxes, Flint delays project for waterhttp://michiganradio.org/post/mornings-news-blue-cross-overhaul-detroit-em-unpaid-taxes-flint-delays-project-water
<p><strong>Governor Snyder signs Blue Cross Blue Shield overhaul</strong></p><p>"Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation overhauling Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The bills let the state's largest health insurer transform into a customer-owned nonprofit and ends its tax-exempt status. The Republican governor signed the legislation Monday at a meeting of the company's board of directors in Detroit," the Associated Press <a href="http://www.michiganradio.org/post/gov-snyder-signs-blue-cross-blue-shield-overhaul">reports.</a></p><p><strong>Detroit EM accused of unpaid taxes</strong></p><p>"Governor Rick Snyder is standing by his pick for Detroit’s emergency manager - despite some criticism over unpaid taxes. The Detroit News reported over the weekend that Kevyn Orr had two tax liens against his Maryland home. Orr says he has since paid the taxes," Jake Neher reports.</p><p><strong>Flint postpones decision to get water from Lake Huron</strong></p><p>"The Flint city council has delayed a decision on whether to take part in a quarter billion dollar project to pipe water from Lake Huron for the city’s drinking water. Council members are concerned the city will end up paying too much.&nbsp;&nbsp; There is also concern that whatever decision they make could be overruled by Flint’s emergency financial manager," Steve Carmody <a href="http://michiganradio.org/post/flint-leaders-delay-decision-water-pipeline-project-again">reports. </a></p><p>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 11:34:12 +0000Emily Fox11753 at http://michiganradio.orgIn this morning's news: Blue Cross overhaul, Detroit EM unpaid taxes, Flint delays project for waterFlint leaders delay decision on water pipeline project againhttp://michiganradio.org/post/flint-leaders-delay-decision-water-pipeline-project-again
<p>The Flint city council has delayed a decision on whether to take part in a quarter billion dollar project to tap water from Lake Huron for the city’s drinking water. The panel delayed taking action on the proposal last week as well.</p><p></p><p>The project has been in development for years. But supporters say they will soon have to start work on the project. They want Flint leaders to decide now if the city is going to be part of the project.&nbsp;</p><p></p>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:04:11 +0000Steve Carmody11752 at http://michiganradio.orgFlint leaders delay decision on water pipeline project againIn this morning's Michigan news headlines. . . http://michiganradio.org/post/mornings-michigan-news-headlines-152
<p><strong>The race for the Democratic chair</strong></p><p>"Michigan's Democratic congressional delegation wants to replace the long-time chairman of the state Democratic Party. Sens. Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow and five members of the U.S. House wrote an open letter to Democrats Tuesday backing Lon Johnson over incumbent Mark Brewer," the Associated Press <a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewart/20130205/NEWS04/302050029/Key-Michigan-Democrats-back-challenger-party-chair-Mark-Brewer">reports. </a></p><p><strong>Detroit moves to turn on its lights</strong></p><p>"The Detroit City Council on Tuesday approved articles of incorporation&nbsp;for a public lighting authority in the city. The state legislature passed bills in December enabling the lighting authority. Detroit has chronic problems keeping many of its streetlights on, though no one can say for sure how many aren't working at any given time," Sarah Cwiek<a href="http://www.michiganradio.org/post/detroit-city-council-paves-way-public-lighting-authority"> reports. </a></p><p><strong>Lakes Michigan and Huron at record low levels</strong></p><p>"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may take another look at placing structures at the bottom of the St. Clair River to boost water levels in Lakes Huron and Michigan. The lakes are at their lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1918, and many people in the region are demanding action," The Associated Press <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20130206/NEWS06/302060091/Lakes-Huron-Michigan-at-lowest-water-levels-recorded?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Michigan%20news">reports. </a></p><p>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:23:59 +0000Emily Fox11110 at http://michiganradio.orgIn this morning's Michigan news headlines. . . Freighter carrying iron ore pellets runs agroundhttp://michiganradio.org/post/freighter-carrying-iron-ore-pellets-runs-aground
<p>The U.S. Coast Guard says a freighter carrying iron ore pellets has run aground on the Canadian side of southern Lake Huron, about one mile offshore of Sarnia, Ontario. The agency there&#39;s no reports of injuries or pollution after the shipped named Buffalo ran aground late Wednesday while en route to Cleveland.<br /><br />The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting Thursday in the response and sent a 41-foot boat to the scene. Sarnia is located across the St. Clair River from Port Huron, Michigan, about 55 miles northeast of Detroit.<br />Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:37:34 +0000The Associated Press8518 at http://michiganradio.orgFreighter carrying iron ore pellets runs agroundCoast Guard re-floats sunken tanker in Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/coast-guard-re-floats-sunken-tanker-lake-huron
<p>The U.S. Coast Guard says crews have salvaged a dredging barge that sank earlier this month in Lake Huron. The Associated Press reports crews re-floated the 100-foot Arthur J early this morning, and were in the process of taking it to a maintenance dock.</p><p>From the AP:</p><blockquote><p>The Arthur J went down July 19 more than a mile from the Michigan shore near Lakeport, roughly 65 miles northeast of Detroit. A 38-foot tugboat that capsized at the same time was recovered earlier. The barge recovery operation stalled last week because of strong winds and choppy waters.<br /><br />No one was hurt when the two vessels went down nearly six miles north of the entrance to the St. Clair River. Some fuel escaped after the accident, leaving a sheen on the water that reached land.</p></blockquote><p>In a <a href="http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1505003/UPDATE-Arthur-J-dredge-floating-in-transit-to-maintenance-dock">statement</a>, the Coast Guard said salvage crews resumed dive operations Sunday at about 9 a.m. and successfully re-floated the dredge by using compressors to blow air into watertight compartments:Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:07:56 +0000Rebecca Williams8481 at http://michiganradio.orgCoast Guard re-floats sunken tanker in Lake HuronWork on salvaging barge, tugboat is under way on Lake Huronhttp://michiganradio.org/post/work-salvaging-barge-tugboat-under-way-lake-huron
<p>LAKEPORT, Mich. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has begun salvaging a sunken barge and an overturned tugboat in southern Lake Huron.<br /><br /> Petty Officer Levi Read tells the Times Herald of Port Huron (http://bwne.ws/MOX3cS) work began at first light on Saturday.<br /><br /> The 110-foot dredging barge and the 38-foot tug were overcome in rough seas early Thursday about a mile from the Michigan coast and nearly six miles from the opening to the St. Clair River.<br /><br /> No one was hurt. Diesel fuel spilled into the lake, but officials say it&#39;s uncertain how much escaped.<br />Sat, 21 Jul 2012 23:17:15 +0000The Associated Press8386 at http://michiganradio.orgU.S. Coast Guard says diesel fuel contained on sunken barge in Lake Huron (PHOTOS)http://michiganradio.org/post/us-coast-guard-says-diesel-fuel-contained-sunken-barge-lake-huron-photos
<p>The U.S. Coast Guard issued a <a href="http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1500183/Update-All-Arthur-J-fuel-valves-and-vents-secured-diesel-fuel-spill-secured">press release</a> this morning saying all the fuel valves and vents connected to the fuel tank on the sunken barge, the Arthur J, have been plugged.</p><p>Crews continue to work on salvaging the 110-foot dredge barge and 38-foot tug that sank yesterday morning one mile off the coast of Lakeport, Michigan.</p><p>From their release:</p><blockquote><p>The Arthur J has ten vents to its fuel tank and responders where able to plug four of them early Thursday afternoon, but six remained open until responders were able to plug them late Thursday night.</p><p>The impact to the shoreline has been minimal; however there is visible sheening along the shores of Lakeport, but there has been no report of a thick product wash ashore. However, there is still a strong diesel odor in the air, so residents and visitors of the lower Lake Huron area are encouraged to avoid areas where there is an odor in the air. Those who live in the area should remain inside with doors and windows closed as much as possible.&nbsp;</p></blockquote><p>The Coast Guard says the Michigan State Health Department has closed beaches from the Blue Water Bridge north to Lakeport State Park.</p><p>The diesel fuel that did spill remains on the lake. No wildlife impacts have been reported yet. The Coast Guard says &quot;weather and lake conditions are not optimal for product clean up, but the clean-up efforts continue vigilantly.&quot;</p><p>The sunken dredge barge and tug were owned and operated by MCM Marine.</p><p>Early reports indicated the barge and tug began taking on water around 4 a.m. yesterday. The Coast Guard reports the cause of the accident at this time is still unknown.Fri, 20 Jul 2012 13:31:31 +0000Mark Brush8371 at http://michiganradio.orgU.S. Coast Guard says diesel fuel contained on sunken barge in Lake Huron (PHOTOS)Diesel fuel spills into Lake Huron after tug and barge sinkhttp://michiganradio.org/post/diesel-fuel-spills-lake-huron-after-tug-and-barge-sink
<p><strong>Friday, July 20, 9:06 a.m.</strong></p><p>The <a href="http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1500183/Update-All-Arthur-J-fuel-valves-and-vents-secured-diesel-fuel-spill-secured">U.S. Coast Guard released a statement</a> this morning declaring that the diesel fuel tanks onboard the sunken dredge, the Arthur J, have been secured and that no more diesel fuel is spilling into Lake Huron:</p><blockquote><p>All the fuel valves and vents on the Arthur J have been plugged.&nbsp;</p><p>The Arthur J has ten vents to its fuel tank and responders where able to plug four of them early Thursday afternoon, but six remained open until responders were able to plug them late Thursday night.</p><p>The impact to the shoreline has been minimal; however there is visible sheening along the shores of Lakeport, but there has been no report of a thick product wash ashore. However, there is still a strong diesel odor in the air, so residents and visitors of the lower Lake Huron area are encouraged to avoid areas where there is an odor in the air.</p></blockquote><p><strong>Thursday, July 19, 12:26 p.m.</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/deq_official_sunken_dredge_may.html#incart_river_default">Mlive.com reports </a>that if storms do not let up, all 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel will get into Lake Huron.</p><blockquote><p>The Michigan Department of Enviromental Quality is monitoring the situation from the periphery, and spokesman Brad Wurfel said ongoing storms may limit the effectiveness of the containment boom.</p><p>&quot;We&#39;re hoping to recover all we can,&quot; he said. &quot;But it&#39;s anticipated that if the storms do not let up, it&#39;s best to plan on the idea that all 1,500 gallons will get into the lake.&quot;</p><p>The weather, the weight of the fuel, wind direction and underwater currents make it difficult to predict where the fuel may head. Some local beaches may see a sheen, Wurfel said, but the &quot;environmental impact is not expected to be catastrophic.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The upside is, it&#39;s a big lake. A lot of this will dissipate.&quot;</p><p>St. Clair County officials have closed all public beaches on Lake Huron as a precautionary measure, according to health education and planning director Jennifer Michalul.</p><p>A local hazmat team and fire crew are aiding the Coast Guard, which has established 100-yard safety zone around the periphery of the oil sheen.Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:26:01 +0000Mark Brush & Michigan Radio Newsroom8342 at http://michiganradio.orgDiesel fuel spills into Lake Huron after tug and barge sink